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You may also be looking for: [[Denuvo Anti-Cheat]]
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[[wikipedia:Denuvo|Denuvo Anti-Tamper]] (Not to be confused with Denuvo Anti-Cheat) is a video game [[DRM]] software developed as the successor to [[SecuROM]] by [[Sony]] DADC since 2014<ref>https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-12-19-denuvo-anti-tamper-drm</ref>, and after a buyout in 2018, it is now distributed by the company [[Irdeto]]<ref>https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-01-23-irdeto-acquires-denuvo-in-bid-to-beef-up-security-in-the-games-industry</ref><ref>https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-08-29-denuvo-and-irdeto-on-protecting-early-sales-from-piracy</ref>. It is commonly referred to simply as “Denuvo” and it is currently the most advanced video game DRM on the market. The goal of Denuvo is to make cracking a game as difficult as possible in order to protect a game’s launch window. Denuvo does this successfully in most cases, however it has been cracked multiple times. These cracks have mostly been done by a mysterious cracker known as Empress.
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2014-09-26
|Industry=Video games, Digital-rights management, Software
|Logo=Denuvo logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Irdeto
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://irdeto.com/denuvo/
}}


== General problems ==
'''{{Wplink|Denuvo|Denuvo Software Solutions GmbH}}''' is an Austrian company that develops the [[DRM|digital-rights management]] (DRM) and {{Wplink|Anti-tamper software|anti-tamper}} software Denuvo Anti-Tamper (DAT) and the anti-cheat system Denuvo Anti-Cheat (DAC) for video games. The goal of DAT is to make cracking a game as difficult as possible, in order to protect a game’s launch window.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=6 Feb 2018 |title=Denuvo: Our cracked RE7 protection is still better than nothing [Updated] |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/02/denuvo-our-cracked-re7-protection-is-still-better-than-nothing/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216035055/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/02/denuvo-our-cracked-re7-protection-is-still-better-than-nothing/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>


=== High resource usage<!--Potential sources https://www.thefastcode.com/en-idr/article/what-is-denuvo-and-why-do-gamers-hate-it  https://whyisdenuvobad.github.io/--> ===
==Consumer-impact summary==
Despite what Denuvo denies,<ref>https://www.vg247.com/2018/09/04/two-point-hospital-no-longer-uses-denuvo-drm/</ref> their software has been documented to consume a lot of computer resources<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/evidence-continues-to-mount-about-how-bad-denuvo-is-for-pc-gaming-performance/</ref>, notably documented for Tekken 7<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20180521071901/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/04/14/drm-software-causing-performance-issues-in-pc-version-of-tekken-7-says-producer.aspx</ref> and Sonic Mania Plus<ref>https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/409231-sonic-mania-plus-drm-protection-slowing-down-legitimate-copies</ref>, both of which are games which slowdown is extremely detrimental for players, especially in a competitive setting.<ref>https://megagames.com/editorials/does-modern-drm-really-hurt-gaming-performance</ref> This slowdown often encourages users to prefer obtaining a crack of the game as soon as a crack releases, as seen by early cracks significantly harming sales.<ref>https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/publishers-face-20-percent-game-revenue-reduction-if-denuvo-drm-is-cracked-quickly-according-to-new-study</ref><!--I believe that DRM contributes to sales loss when a crack releases, moreso because the crack is the better version of the product on the market, plus also licensing fees for early/day 1 cracks are harmful for developers.-->Consumers who run lower-end hardware often are forced into running cracked versions of their game just to be even capable of launching their games, especially in the currently popular trend of under-optimizing games from big publishers.<ref>https://www.pcworld.com/article/2455340/are-modern-pc-games-badly-optimized-or-is-it-just-time-to-upgrade.html</ref>
{{Ph-C-CIS}}


== Notable anti-consumer events ==
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===High resource usage<!--Potential sources https://www.thefastcode.com/en-idr/article/what-is-denuvo-and-why-do-gamers-hate-it  https://whyisdenuvobad.github.io/-->===
Despite '''Denuvo'''<nowiki/>'s denials,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lemon |first=Marshall |date=4 Sep 2018 |title=Two Point Hospital no longer uses Denuvo DRM |url=https://www.vg247.com/two-point-hospital-no-longer-uses-denuvo-drm |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=VG247 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709125840/https://www.vg247.com/two-point-hospital-no-longer-uses-denuvo-drm |archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref> its software has been documented to consume a lot of computer resources,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=26 Dec 2018 |title=Evidence continues to mount about how bad Denuvo is for PC gaming performance |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/evidence-continues-to-mount-about-how-bad-denuvo-is-for-pc-gaming-performance/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113203606/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/evidence-continues-to-mount-about-how-bad-denuvo-is-for-pc-gaming-performance/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> notably documented for ''Tekken 7''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vazquez |first=Suriel |date=14 Apr 2018 |title=DRM Software Causing Performance Issues In PC Version Of Tekken 7, Says Producer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/04/14/drm-software-causing-performance-issues-in-pc-version-of-tekken-7-says-producer.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521071901/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/04/14/drm-software-causing-performance-issues-in-pc-version-of-tekken-7-says-producer.aspx |archive-date=21 May 2018 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Game Informer}}</ref> and ''Sonic Mania Plus,''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leri |first=Michael |date=20 Jul 2018 |title=Sonic Mania Plus DRM Protection Slowing Down Legitimate Copies |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/409231-sonic-mania-plus-drm-protection-slowing-down-legitimate-copies |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Game Revolution |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206175135/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/409231-sonic-mania-plus-drm-protection-slowing-down-legitimate-copies |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref> both games where slowdown is extremely detrimental to players, especially in competitive settings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Nov 2017 |title=Does modern DRM really hurt gaming performance? |url=https://megagames.com/editorials/does-modern-drm-really-hurt-gaming-performance |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Mega Games |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114171302/https://megagames.com/editorials/does-modern-drm-really-hurt-gaming-performance |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> This slowdown often encourages users to prefer a crack of the game as soon as a crack releases, as seen by early cracks significantly harming sales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyson |first=Mark |date=13 Oct 2024 |title=Publishers face 20% game revenue reduction if Denuvo DRM is cracked quickly, according to new study |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/publishers-face-20-percent-game-revenue-reduction-if-denuvo-drm-is-cracked-quickly-according-to-new-study |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019210731/https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/publishers-face-20-percent-game-revenue-reduction-if-denuvo-drm-is-cracked-quickly-according-to-new-study |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref> As a result of the high system usage, consumers with run lower-end hardware are often unable to even launch these games without running cracked versions, especially when the game's publisher has under-optimized it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayley |first=Dominic |date=24 Sep 2024 |title=Are modern PC games badly optimized or is it just time to upgrade? |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2455340/are-modern-pc-games-badly-optimized-or-is-it-just-time-to-upgrade.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=PCWorld |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116000508/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2455340/are-modern-pc-games-badly-optimized-or-is-it-just-time-to-upgrade.html |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref>


=== [to be filled in] ===
Developers have also blamed '''Denuvo''' for negatively impacting performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Don |date=14 Apr 2018 |title=Tekken Director Says Denuvo Behind Recent Performance Issues On PC |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/tekken-director-says-denuvo-behind-recent-performance-issues-on-pc |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251026031012/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/tekken-director-says-denuvo-behind-recent-performance-issues-on-pc |archive-date=26 Oct 2025 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Tech Raptor}}</ref> Many of them have stopped using '''DAT''' in their games,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=15 Oct 2024 |title=BioWare confirms Dragon Age: The Veilguard won't have Denuvo or any third-party DRM |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/bioware-confirms-dragon-age-the-veilguard-wont-have-denuvo-or-any-third-party-drm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204163245/https://www.neowin.net/news/bioware-confirms-dragon-age-the-veilguard-wont-have-denuvo-or-any-third-party-drm/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Neowin}}</ref> with others utilizing it during the launch period but removing it from their games after some time has passed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Danny |date=11 Apr 2023 |title=Square Enix and Capcom remove Denuvo DRM from multiple games |url=https://hitmarker.net/news/square-enix-and-capcom-remove-denuvo-drm-from-multiple-games-2007312 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174742/https://hitmarker.net/news/square-enix-and-capcom-remove-denuvo-drm-from-multiple-games-2007312 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Hitmarker}}</ref> Controversies surrounding performance issues has resulted in '''Denuvo'''’s brand image being severely tarnished, with them being unable to even host a [[Discord]]<nowiki/>sever properly due to the amount of harassment and trolling they faced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Joseph |date=17 Oct 2024 |title=New Denuvo Discord Temporarily Suspended After Deluge of Hate Messages |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/denuvo-discord-suspended-inappropriate-content |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128145101/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/denuvo-discord-suspended-inappropriate-content |archive-date=28 Jan 2026 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=Tech Raptor}}</ref>


==To maybe delete==
===Machine Activation Limits<!-- Can steamcommunity be used as source? have to find out:  https://steamcommunity.com/app/2050650/discussions/0/4130430927307702044/  -->===
Editor's note: This section of the article is unsupported and lacks significant development. It may be deleted, or if verifiable sources can be located, it will be integrated into the rest of the article.<!--Source with charts!
Many games that implement '''DAT'''<nowiki/>'s protections also come with machine activation limits, usually 5 activations per 24-hour period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=gamegpu |date=2025-03-14 |title=Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Denuvo DRM protection and 5 activations per day limit |url=https://en.gamegpu.com/game/assassin-s-creed-shadows-drm-protection-day-and-limitation-to-5-activations-per-day |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=gamegpu.com}}</ref><!-- better citation warranted --> By imposing arbitrary limits on activations,  buyers that have legally acquired the game are unable to play it on all their devices.
https://www.neogaf.com/threads/new-study-piracy-can-reduce-sales-revenues-by-20-when-denuvo-is-cracked-very-early-on-while-leads-to-nearly-zero-revenue-loss-after-12-weeks.1676167/-->


The cost to Developers-
There are also accounts of users being locked out of access to their games by simply changing the version of {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} multiple times to get the game working/running correctly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2025-05-15 |title=Denuvo will lock you out of games on Linux, SteamOS, Steam Deck if you keep changing Proton versions |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/05/denuvo-will-lock-you-out-of-games-on-linux-steamos-steam-deck-if-you-keep-changing-proton-versions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260405135829/https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/05/denuvo-will-lock-you-out-of-games-on-linux-steamos-steam-deck-if-you-keep-changing-proton-versions/ |archive-date=2026-04-05 |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=minornine |date=2024-01-17 |title=Any way around 24 hour Denuvo activation limit when switching between Proton versions? :: Resident Evil 4 General Discussions |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/2050650/discussions/0/4130430927307702044/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260405140147/https://steamcommunity.com/app/2050650/discussions/0/4130430927307702044/ |archive-date=2026-04-05 |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=Steam Community}}</ref>


According to leaked documents Denuvo has a base cost of $25,000 per month, with an additional $0.50 per game sold. However it is worth noting that Denuvo does not provide a standard price on their website, so this price may not apply in some situations.
===Games with DAT require an always on internet connection===
Games using '''DAT''' require an always online internet connection to play. '''DAT''' pings '''Denuvo'''<nowiki/>'s authentication servers to validate the legitimacy of the game.{{Citation needed}}


On October 2016, The following games during were unavailable due to Denuvo's authentication servers going offline for a couple days causing games to display an error on start up: Batman Arkham Knight, Mad Max and Shadow of War.[https://www.dsogaming.com/news/denuvo-server-problems-prevented-players-from-playing-batman-arkham-knight-mad-max/]<!-- better citation warranted -->


The cost to Gamers-
On 07 November 2021, Guardians of the Galaxy, Football Manager 2022, Planet Zoo, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider trilogy, Wolfenstein Youngblood, Mortal Kombat 11, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, Persona 4 Golden, Demon Slayer, among others became completely unplayable due to the Domain Codefusion expiring and not being renewed.[https://www.pcgamer.com/a-great-day-for-drm-as-denuvo-lapse-renders-tons-of-games-temporarily-unplayable/]<!-- better citation warranted -->


Denuvo has long been blamed for causing poor performance in games. This is the result of gamers testing official Denuvo games and cracked pirated Denuvo games side by side, with results showing that the pirated version has better performance. Denuvo denies this however, and blames developers for implementing Denuvo into their games poorly. It is also worth noting that Denuvo claims on their website that their DRM does not cause performance decreases. Developers on the other hand, blame Denuvo for making a bad product. Many developers have stopped Denuvo all together, with others using it but removing it from their games after some time has passed. All of this has resulted in Denuvo’s brand image being severely tarnished, with them being unable to even host a Discord sever due to the amount of harassment and trolling they faced.
On 02 May 2024, Persona 5 Royal was affected after Denuvo's authentication servers became unavailable. [https://thegeek.games/2024/05/06/when-drm-is-harmful-a-popular-game-became-unplayable-for-hours-on-pc/]<!-- better citation warranted -->


== References ==
==Products==
 
*Denuvo Anti-Tamper
*Denuvo Anti-Cheat
 
==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}
 
==References==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Denuvo]]
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